Saturday, February 6
Houston, Texas
11 AM
Rice University
4
vs
3
Texas Tech
Tech Streak Snapped by Owls
2/6/2021 4:27:00 PM | Women's Tennis
First win over Red Raiders since 2010
Houston: Federica Trevisan outlasted Texas Tech's Nell Miller in three seesaw sets to give Rice a 4-3 win and break an eight match losing streak to the Red Raiders at the George R. Brown Tennis Center on Saturday. The win was the first for the Owls against Texas Tech since a 6-1 win at Jake Hess Tennis Stadium in 2010.
Doubles: After dropping several break opportunities at deuce earlier in the match, Maria Budin and Diae El Jardi converted on the opportunity at 4-4 and Budin then held serve to give them a 6-4 win over Tech's 43rd ranked duo of Kaitlin Staines and Miller. The clinching win was the Owls fourth doubles point in six tries this year. Anna Bowtell and Victoria Smirnova posted a 6-1 win at the third line to give the Owls the early advantage.
Singles: After Tech tied the score with a win at the fifth line, Budin and Smirnova answered almost immediately with wins at the sixth and first lines. Smirnova posted a straight set win over Staines, who was ranked 100th in singles while Budin dropped only five games to improve her dual singles record to 4-2. Tech roared back with wins at the second and fourth lines, leaving the outcome in the hands of Trevisan and Miller who split had split two sets featuring multiple extended rallies and lead changes. Miller surged to a 4-3 lead after a service break, but Trevisan responded with her own break to even the match and the won the final two games to record her third clinch point of the dual campaign.
Elizabeth Schmidt: "What a gutsy performance by our team, this was a total team win. You always love to break those losing streaks, so I was glad we were able to do that, but our focus has always been to make sure we are a better version of ourselves each day. I think our team has done that each match this season. I thought in doubles we came out with a lot of energy. We came out with a purpose and really set the tone. Getting the doubles point was huge and really proud of Maria and Diae for stepping up at the end. Being on the court at three all in a college tennis match is an experience you don't have coming out of juniors. For a freshman, that first time out there can be a little bit overwhelming but I thought Fedi (Trevisan) handled it like a champ. Nell (Miller) is a good player and good competitor and she was going to make sure that Fedi had to make every ball to earn the win. I thought her teammates did and absolutely fabulous job supporting her and letter her know they had her back."
Federica Trevisan: "I honestly have never felt happier about winning a match, because there is a team watching you and supporting you. I really felt like part of a family today, it felt so good. I've never felt such adrenaline. It was just amazing, having everyone cheering and supporting you. It was such a mental battle because I really started to feel tired after the first set, but I kept grinding. The coaches kept reminding me how to play, to grind through and not try hit too many winners…hitting every ball, no unforced errors. It was definitely more of a mental battle than a physical one."
Up Next: The Owls complete their homestand next weekend with a pair of duals. They host Sam Houston State at 1 p.m. on Friday and then combine with the Rice men to host UTA at 11 a.m. on Saturday. UPDATE: Due to COVID-related matters with the Sam Houston women's tennis team, the dual on Friday has been postponed. The schools will look to possibly reschedule the match later this year.
Follow the Action:
For the most up-to-date information on Rice Women's Tennis, follow the Owls on Twitter @RiceTennis or Instagram @ricewtennis or like Rice Women's Tennis on Facebook.
Doubles: After dropping several break opportunities at deuce earlier in the match, Maria Budin and Diae El Jardi converted on the opportunity at 4-4 and Budin then held serve to give them a 6-4 win over Tech's 43rd ranked duo of Kaitlin Staines and Miller. The clinching win was the Owls fourth doubles point in six tries this year. Anna Bowtell and Victoria Smirnova posted a 6-1 win at the third line to give the Owls the early advantage.
Singles: After Tech tied the score with a win at the fifth line, Budin and Smirnova answered almost immediately with wins at the sixth and first lines. Smirnova posted a straight set win over Staines, who was ranked 100th in singles while Budin dropped only five games to improve her dual singles record to 4-2. Tech roared back with wins at the second and fourth lines, leaving the outcome in the hands of Trevisan and Miller who split had split two sets featuring multiple extended rallies and lead changes. Miller surged to a 4-3 lead after a service break, but Trevisan responded with her own break to even the match and the won the final two games to record her third clinch point of the dual campaign.
Elizabeth Schmidt: "What a gutsy performance by our team, this was a total team win. You always love to break those losing streaks, so I was glad we were able to do that, but our focus has always been to make sure we are a better version of ourselves each day. I think our team has done that each match this season. I thought in doubles we came out with a lot of energy. We came out with a purpose and really set the tone. Getting the doubles point was huge and really proud of Maria and Diae for stepping up at the end. Being on the court at three all in a college tennis match is an experience you don't have coming out of juniors. For a freshman, that first time out there can be a little bit overwhelming but I thought Fedi (Trevisan) handled it like a champ. Nell (Miller) is a good player and good competitor and she was going to make sure that Fedi had to make every ball to earn the win. I thought her teammates did and absolutely fabulous job supporting her and letter her know they had her back."
Federica Trevisan: "I honestly have never felt happier about winning a match, because there is a team watching you and supporting you. I really felt like part of a family today, it felt so good. I've never felt such adrenaline. It was just amazing, having everyone cheering and supporting you. It was such a mental battle because I really started to feel tired after the first set, but I kept grinding. The coaches kept reminding me how to play, to grind through and not try hit too many winners…hitting every ball, no unforced errors. It was definitely more of a mental battle than a physical one."
Up Next: The Owls complete their homestand next weekend with a pair of duals. They host Sam Houston State at 1 p.m. on Friday and then combine with the Rice men to host UTA at 11 a.m. on Saturday. UPDATE: Due to COVID-related matters with the Sam Houston women's tennis team, the dual on Friday has been postponed. The schools will look to possibly reschedule the match later this year.
Follow the Action:
For the most up-to-date information on Rice Women's Tennis, follow the Owls on Twitter @RiceTennis or Instagram @ricewtennis or like Rice Women's Tennis on Facebook.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,2,1
#1 Singles Match
12
Kaitlin Staines / 0 (100/-) [TTU]
44
66
#2 Singles Match
123
Lisa Mays / 0 [TTU]
616
462
#3 Singles Match
123
Nell Miller / 0 [TTU]
664
736
#4 Singles Match
12
Margarita Skriabina / 0 [TTU]
76
61
#5 Singles Match
12
Olivia Peet / 0 [TTU]
66
42
#6 Singles Match
12
Bojana Marinkov / 0 [TTU]
23
66
Order of Finish:
5,6,1,4,2,3
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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